Ohtani to hit but not pitch for Japan at 2026 World Baseball Classic

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told fans at DodgerFest that Shohei Ohtani will not take the mound for Samurai Japan in the 2026 World Baseball Classic and will be used solely as a hitter. Roberts framed the decision as Ohtani’s to make and said the organization would have supported him had he chosen to pitch; he also indicated Ohtani is expected to join the Japanese team for exhibition contests on March 2 ahead of the tournament that runs March 5–17.

The move reshapes expectations for both Japan and the Dodgers. Japan will still have Ohtani’s bat and superstar presence in its lineup and clubhouse, but it loses the rare two-way impact that made Ohtani the 2023 WBC most valuable player, a tournament in which he struck out Mike Trout to claim the title. Japan will instead lean on pitchers such as Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who is slated to represent his country alongside Ohtani and whose heavy 2025 workload — 173 2/3 innings in the regular season and another 37 1/3 in the postseason — signifies he will be a central figure on the staff.

Ohtani’s decision is rooted in durability calculations that follow a well-documented medical history. He underwent a second Tommy John surgery in September 2023 after a torn ulnar collateral ligament was revealed when he exited a start against the Cincinnati Reds. He returned to the mound in June 2025 after an absence of nearly 22 months and made 14 starts, logging 47 innings with 62 strikeouts, a 1-1 record and a 2.87 ERA. Ohtani, speaking through interpreter Will Ireton, described his offseason positively: "It’s been a great offseason. Mostly business as usual. I think the good thing is that I wasn’t hurt this year or had any injury. … I’m very healthy. Glad that I am. The only wrinkle is going to be the World Baseball Classic, so I’m wrapping up [the offseason] a little early."

From a performance standpoint, Japan loses a high-leverage starter whose presence on the mound altered opponent strategies and bullpen usage. On the other hand, preserving Ohtani’s arm for the Major League season increases the likelihood he can contribute as a starting pitcher across a full regular season as the Dodgers chase a third straight title. The Dodgers have signaled a willingness to allow players to join the Classic but have also expressed relief at limiting his WBC workload after back-to-back compressed offseasons and seasons that began abroad.

The decision reflects broader industry trends around star management and the evolving role of the World Baseball Classic. Clubs and players increasingly negotiate participation to balance national pride, commercial incentives and long-term health. The WBC continues to be a showcase that drives global audiences and revenue, but teams are exercising more influence over how top assets are deployed. For broadcasters, sponsors and merchandise partners, Ohtani’s presence as a hitter still delivers marquee visibility in Japan and globally even without his two-way contributions.

Culturally, the choice underscores Ohtani’s unique standing as a transnational icon whose decisions carry sporting and symbolic weight for American and Japanese fans alike. His limited role crystallizes a new normal in which elite players can represent their countries while teams manage risks that have large financial and competitive implications. As the Classic approaches, attention will focus on how Team Japan fills the pitching void and how Ohtani’s bat and celebrity continue to shape the event’s narrative.